Week 3; High Risk OB Flashcards
Conditions that complicate pregnancy can be divided into 2 categories:
- Those related to pregnancy and not seen at other times
- Those that could occur at anytime but occur concurrently with pregnancy
Most common conditions that cause pregnancy complications
Abortion, ectopic Pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, DIC, hyperemesis gravidum, preeclampsia/eclampsia, HTN, gestational diabetes, cardiac Disease, infections
Abortion definition
Loss of Pregnancy before the fetus is viable or capable of living outside the uterus. Considered a hemorrhagic condition of early pregnancy
Spontaneous abortion
Most common cause is congenital abnormality, pregnancy is less than 20 weeks
Threatened abortion
Bleeding during 1st half of pregnancy
Inevitable abortion
Cannot be stopped
Incomplete abortion
Sometimes called partial; all tissue contents have not been expelled
Complete abortion
All of the products (tissue) of conception leave the body.
Missed abortion
Fetus dies but is retained in the uterus
Recurrent spontaneous abortion
3 or more spontaneous abortions, chromosomal or genetic abnormality or anomaly
First sign of possible abortion
vaginal bleeding, which is common during early pregnancy.
Therapeutic management for abortion
- Monitor BP
- Assess for signs of shock (hypovolemia)
- Count or weight pads
- Notify MD/Nurse-Midwife
- Ultrasound
- No evidence to limit activity, but possibly limit
sexual activity - Psychological Support
Hypovolemic shock
Due to blood or fluid loss
S/S of hypovolemic shock:
Low BP, rapid pulse
Weakness
Fatigue
Dizziness, fainting
Skin cool and clammy
S/S of hypovolemia: progressive to emergency status
Impaired perfusion to organs, anuria, loss of reflexes, change in LOC
Abortion treatment
Control fluid loss, administer IV fluids or blood, administer oxygen, monitor respiratory effort, mechanical ventilation may be required, assess LOC, monitor labs, administer medications
Ectopic pregnancy
Implantation of a fertilized ovum outside of
uterine cavity; 97% occur in fallopian tube
Ectopic pregnancy risk factors
Common factor is scarring, hx of previous ectopic pregnancies, delayed or premature ovulation, IUDs associated
Clinical manifestations of ectopic pregnancy:
Missed period, positive pregnancy test, abdominal pain, spotting
Ectopic pregnancy: If tube tears open and embryo expelled into pelvic cavity, what follows?
Profuse abdominal hemorrhaging, radiating pain under scapula may indicate bleeding into
abdomen, hypovolemic shock
When ectopic pregnancy ruptures, what intervention is required?
Surgical
Assessment & treatment for the patient with ectopic pregnancy
Monitor for signs that suggest rupture or bleeding
Treatment: IV fluids, pain control, methotrexate administration – chemo agent. Stops pregnancy and causes hormones to return to normal. Psychological Support
Gestational trophoblastic disease, AKA:
Hydatidiform mole, invasive mole, or choriocarcinoma
Gestational trophoblastic disease
Trophoblasts develop abnormally. Characterized by proliferation and edema of the chorionic villi and form grape-like clusters of tissue. Placenta does not develop normally and I fetus present – fatal chromosome effect
Trophoblasts
peripheral cells that attach the fertilized ovum to the uterine wall
Gestational trophoblastic disease incidence and risk factors
Incidence in US and Europe – 1 in every 1000-1500
pregnancies
Higher in youngest and oldest
Asians have higher incidence
Gestational trophoblastic disease s/s:
-Higher levels of beta-hCG than expected for
gestation
-“Snowstorm” ultrasound pattern
-Absence of fetal sac and presences of vesicles
-Uterus larger than expected
-Bleeding which varies from dark brown spotting to
profuse hemorrhage
Two phases of treatment for gestational trophoblastic disease
- Assist with medical management – evacuation procedure
- Continuous follow up to detect malignant changes of any remaining trophoblastic tissue
Nursing care for gestational trophoblastic disease
Monitor bleeding, emotional support – women experience similar emotions to those who have experienced any other type of pregnancy loss, patient Anxious about follow up
Nurses role, regardless of the cause of early
antepartum bleeding –
-Monitoring the condition of the patient (VS, bleeding)
-Pain Control
-IV fluids
-Collaborating with physician to provide treatment
Hemorrhagic conditions of late pregnancy: placenta previa
Implantation of the placenta in the
lower uterus
Placenta previa: Three classifications:
Total, partial, and marginal
Placenta previa example
Placenta previa incidence and risk factors
Incidence is 1 in 200 births
More common in older women, multiparas, previous C-sections or uterine surgery
Increased risk: asians, smokers, and cocaine use
Classic sign of placenta previa:
Sudden onset of painless uterine bleeding in the last half of pregnancy
Nursing considerations with placenta previa
Until the location and position of the placement are verified by ultrasound – no manual vaginal exam should be performed.
Oxytocin postponed to prevent strong contractions which could result in sudden placental separation and rapid hemorrhage
Placenta previa interventions
-Based on condition of the mother and fetus
-Assess amount of blood
-Electronic fetal monitoring
-If home care, nurses help patient to understand
-Assessing color and amount of vaginal discharge or bleeding
-Assessing fetal activity (kick counts daily)
-Assessing uterine activity at prescribed intervals
-Refraining from sexual intercourse to prevent disruption of placenta
Inpatient care for placenta previa
-Goal is greater fetal maturity
-Supportive nursing care
-Patient may be on bedrest and confined to bed
-Periodic fetal monitoring
-Scheduled delivery if fetus 36 weeks or more
-Delivery if serious hemorrhage, impact to fetus, prepare for C-section
-IV, admin of preop antibiotics, anesthesia, foley inserted, fetal monitor, neonatology team ready
Abruptio placentae
Separation of a normally implanted placenta before the fetus is born. Bleeding and formation of clot on the maternal side of the placenta; as clot expands, further separation occurs. Bleeding may be concealed